Yah, I most definitely recommend playing the first two. You absolutely want to play DS1 for the story. I haven't played DS3, I'm currently on 2, but can't recommend the game enough..and think the first one is paramount to understanding what's going on and the origin of the problem you're fighting.

I've played through about half of the first Dead Space, it was pretty fun. I have DS2 still in its wrapping because I don't want to play it before I finish the first game. I've not even considered getting DS3, and from a couple of reviews I've seen I have to wonder if I will ever get it...

It's funny reading these comments. I played 1 and 2, not 3 yet. However, I thought DS2 was far superior, both in story telling and in the overall creepiness factor. I though the controls and movement were more refined in DS2 as well. Again, all just my opinion, but I thought the ending of DS2 was one of the best endings in any game I've ever played.

Spoiler

When Isaac takes off his helmet and just sits down waiting to die after the final battle, I absolutely loved that. Yeah, they had to save him to keep the series going, but I thought that whole scene was great.

It's funny reading these comments. I played 1 and 2, not 3 yet. However, I thought DS2 was far superior, both in story telling and in the overall creepiness factor. I though the controls and movement were more refined in DS2 as well. Again, all just my opinion, but I thought the ending of DS2 was one of the best endings in any game I've ever played.

The gameplay and variety were far better, there was just no plot. Most of the game I felt like I was just being strung along to kill ****, not for any other reason. Even when you came across optional story bits they were almost never relevant to anything but the current level.